Yankees 26er roster projections 2.0 for 2023 MLB season

Now that spring training is in full swing for the Yankees, it’s time to see what the 2023 roster might look like.

Last time, we saw a largely unchanged team finish the 2022 season. Now, the roster could be different — but not by much — thanks to a major injury and potential transfer to GM Brian Cashman investigating.

Cashman also has a chance to make one of his “secret” moves like he traded

Heading into spring training, there are question marks in left field, the starting rotation and shortstop. But I believe the holes will at least be filled from the inside. We’ll see what happens when the trade deadline hits.

Position Player

Anthony Rizzo

, 1B

Glebe Torres /DJ LeMahieu, 2B

Oswald Peraza, SS

Josh Donaldson, 3B

Oswaldo Cabrera/Aaron Hicks, LF

Harrison Bader, CF

Aaron Judge, RF

Jose Trevino, C

Giancarlo Stanton , DH

No change from my last projection for everyday position players. However, I do feel more confident that, barring a dire spring, Peraza will win the shortstop job outside of training camp. Looking inside, it’s clear the Yankees saw value in Peraza as an everyday player, otherwise they wouldn’t have called him up late last season and added him to the playoff roster.

Anthony Volpe Still got some time at Triple-A Mid-growth to start the season, but if he has a good spring, he could get some attention when the roster expands later this year. It would also allow the Yankees to benefit from manipulating when he starts the season in the minors. Isiah Kiner-Falefa If Peraza gets off to a bad start to the season, he will be a backup option and will benefit from Not in the spotlight. He can be a utility infielder if needed and can play third, short and second.

Torres is an interesting name to watch this spring. Given the number of infielders the Yankees have, it’s possible New York might want to trade him, especially if they plan to upgrade in the outfield. Andy Martino of SNY reports that the Yankees are still looking for a left-field option outside the organization. A trade is possible, but the player will likely have to enter free agency.

left with Jurickson Profar who the Yankees play with Negotiated, but his problem is salary-related, and the Yankees will have to shell out money to sign Profar so the team doesn’t hit the “Steve Cohn tax” threshold.

While this all sounds good, I just don’t think the Yankees will be able to change the deal and sign Profar to get the deal he wants.

This also gives manager Aaron Boone some flexibility to start line-up. As we saw last season, with Torres and LeMahieu in and out of the lineup, I’m sure he will appreciate that, especially with the former injured.

That leaves Cabrera and Hicks to fight left field. Fans don’t want to hear it, but my gut tells Hicks to start the season as left fielder. The organization is obsessed with him, and as much as I love Cabrera’s grit, they’re going to want someone with more experience for the role.

Start rotation

Great Cole, RHP

Carlos Roden, LHP

Nestor Cortez, LHP

Luis Severino

, RHP

Clark Schmidt, RHP

The biggest change for the Yankees comes in the rotation. Frankie Montas will need shoulder surgery and will likely have it done this year. This makes the rotation not as deep as before. Cole, Roden, Cortez — who is recovering from a hamstring injury, but the Yankees want him to be ready for Opening Day — and Severino will be the top four starters this season. The question is who will replace the mound every five days?

Andy Martino reports that the Yankees will not consider a trade to fill the role, but will instead look within the organization. That leaves only two options: Domingo German or Schmidt.

German has been a starter on the team for the past few years, but I think Schmidt has much more upside and will eventually win that job. It’s all about how they performed this spring.

Bullpen

Jonathan Loisiga, RHP